CHAPEL HILL — The options are coming and going for North Carolina’s basketball team.

With swingman P.J. Hairston suffering a concussion early in the week, there’s a possible roster reduction. But with Leslie McDonald back in the mix for Saturday’s game against Virginia Tech, the Tar Heels hope that balances things out.

North Carolina coach Roy Williams said a decision about Hairston’s playing status would be made this morning, offering no update Friday other than he had watched practice — and “laughed at some of my jokes,” the coach said — since suffering the injury at Boston College.

This will be the first game back for McDonald, who missed three games with a knee injury before sitting out the past three as part of a team-related suspension that reportedly was tied to academics.

“It probably helps Coach and them and their game plan … makes it easier that (Hairston and McDonald) play a (similar) position,” North Carolina forward James Michael McAdoo said.

Williams said during the period when McDonald sat out that Hairston’s numbers improved. He said he hopes that works in a similar manner if Hairston misses more time.

“I do believe there will be some rust,” Williams said. “Leslie has got to give us some points from deep, hopefully to stretch their defense.”

This also could create a bigger role for freshman forward J.P. Tokoto, who has been inconsistent. Williams said Tokoto wasn’t effective in the first half against Boston College, but given another chance he showed improvement.

Tokoto has graded out much better for the Tar Heels in home games, Williams said, so that could bode well today for North Carolina.

Hairston hit four 3-pointers as part of a 14-point burst less than 16 minutes into the Boston College game before the injury. The Tar Heels went on to an 82-70 victory, an outcome that McAdoo said should equate to a confidence boost.

“When (Hairston) went down, we definitely had to find other outlets,” McAdoo said.

Yet much of the tone for today’s game could be set on North Carolina’s defensive end.

Virginia Tech guard Erick Green is the nation’s leading scorer at 25.5 points per game. He has reached at least the 21-point mark in all except one game this season.

“He’s a load right now,” Williams said. “He’s always under control.”

Williams said it would be a team defensive effort, shying away from identifying one player who would be assigned to Green. Senior guard Dexter Strickland is regarded as the team’s top defender, while McAdoo suggested it could be a busy afternoon for teammate Reggie Bullock.

“Reggie will probably have his hands full,” he said.

Page 2 of 2 - A box-and-one defense might be used, Williams said, joking that would mean “four guys on (Green) and one other guy in the lane.”